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Friday, January 31, 2014

UK band Galahad are planning to release three EPs over the course of the year. the first of these will be the Seize the Day EP, to be released on February 24th. The title track comes from their acclaimed 2012 album Battle Scars.

Track listing:1. Seize the Day (Single version)2. Seize the Day (Full version)3. 21st Century Painted Lady4. 21st Century Painted Lady (Instrumental)5. Bug Eye 20136. Bug Eye (Live)Mixed by Karl Groom at Thin Ice, pre-orders can be made as of now from their website www.galahadonline.com.Galahad will be spending a little more time at Thin Ice Studios remixing Empires Never Last. They have actually completely run out of physical copies of the original album and have decided that instead of merely going for a standard re-pressing, they will spruce up the album, add a few exclusive extra tracks and re-issue the album in a digipack format later in 2014.In addition, various demos of songs which didn’t make the final cut of ‘Empires’ will be made available to download from their website at the same time.If you wish to see the band live in 2014, and you know you should, Galahad have been asked play a show for GARF (Gothenburg Artrock Society) on Saturday 1 March at the Musikens Hus, Djurgardsatan 13, Gothenburg. They will also be opening the Celebr8.3 Festival at the Islington Assembly Halls on Sunday 1 June. The band will also be playing at the Christchurch Music Festival on Saturday 5th July. Galahad are very proud to be associated with this event as all monies raised will go to benefit various local charities. More information to follow regarding stage times etc.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

In 2007 and 2008, all Genesis albums were released as CD/DVD sets. The CDs contained remastered songs and the DVDs had the whole album in 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS Surround Sound, plus added visual bonuses (interviews, etc.).Some of the titles are becoming unavailable, and others were only available with the box sets. But this year Universal will rerelease all Genesis albums on the Pure Audio Blu-ray format. Each Blu-ray will contain the music only, there are no visual extras.Pure Audio Blu-ray is a normal Blu-ray, so it can be played on all Blu-ray players. Nevertheless, it can be played as a CD, which means you do not have to use your television to enjoy the disc or browse through menus before you can start the music.The first release will be Selling England by the Pound.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Sad news for the New Year: Australian band Unitopia have decided to split-up and pursue other projects individually.Keyboard player Sean Timms sent an update to fans on the 24th of January, stating: "Mark (Trueack) and I have decided to call an end to Unitopia." While remaining best of friends, they both felt that the time was right to pursue other projects. This is NOT a falling-out, it is a creative decision.They leave a catalogue of sophisticated rock music with prog elements, marrying strong baritone vocals, crunchy guitars, spacey keyboards, and a clearly pastoral philosophy lyrically. Although small, it is an impressive catalogue, culminating in a masterpiece called Artificial.Their last effort, aptly titled Covered Mirror, Vol. 1, was a collection of songs that either influenced or were beloved by the band. They covered them in their inimitable style, bringing a new perspective to those classic songs while retaining their essence. Unfortunately there will not be a Volume 2.This split doesn't mean that there won't be any more Unitopia music released. As Sean writes:

"Matt is busy working on the More Than a Dream Expanded, Revisited and Re-mastered edition and it’s about 60% complete... We won’t promise a release date, as we don’t want to disappoint. Let’s just say that it will be sometime next year.

"Also, we have an epic song on the next Decameron concept album released later this year on the Musea label.

"The Turn Left project has been shelved, but some of the songs that have been written will appear on Mark’s and my solo projects."

Friday, January 24, 2014

The long-awaited return to action for Bigelf was recently announced, with the album Into the Maelstrom slated for a April 1 release in North America. Now the cover artwork, track-listing and full format details can be revealed.Into the Maelstrom will be available on a limited 2CD digipak which includes exclusive re-mixes & demo versions, as well as a gatefold 2LP vinyl edition which includes the full album on CD. The full track-listing is as follows:

Incredible Time Machine

Hypersleep

Already Gone

Alien Frequency

The Professor & the Madman

Mr. Harry McQuhae

Vertigod

Control Freak

High

Edge of Oblivion

Theater of Dreams

ITM: I. Destination Unknown / II. Harbinger of Death / III. Memories

Into the Maelstrom marks the recording debut of Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, The Winery Dogs) with Bigelf, whose Progressive Nation At Sea Cruise the band will perform on from February 18-22, and where Bigelf will play alongside bands such as Transatlantic, Devin Townsend Project, Riverside & Adrian Belew Power Trio. Tickets are available now from www.progressivenationatsea.com

Monday, January 20, 2014

American proggers Glass Hammer are set to release their 14th album this Spring.Jon Davison, busy at the moment in the studio recording with Yes, has laid down vocal tracks alongside live singer Carl Groves and former member Susie Bogdanowicz. Guest musician include Rob Reed of Magenta, David Ragsdale of Kansas and Randy Jackson of Zebra.No news yet concerning track titles or running time, but Glass Hammer are preparing to tour and have some dates penned-in.They are to appear on the Moody Blues Cruise on April 2-7, and they will headline the Saturday night at the Terra Incognita prog festival in Quebec City on the 17th of May. Live vocalists will be Carl and Susie.

Esoteric Recordings are delighted to announce the release of the first album collaboration featuring Peter Hammill, (Van Der Graaf Generator) and Gary Lucas, (Captain Beefheart, Jeff Buckley).Other World will be released on 3rd February 2014. The fourteen track recording is the result of an invitation from Peter to Gary suggesting they might convene at the formers studio to see if some musical sparks might fly. Having first met in Aylesbury after a Hammill solo show in 1973, it was not until January 2012 that Gary arrived at the studio armed with instruments and some pieces which might be worth working on. As Peter explains in the notes, sparks flew and against the odds, Other World unfolded with seamless speed. The majority of the recordings are produced by Peter and Gary's guitars and Peter's vocal though they are aided by a couple of pieces of found sound and loops.The duo are so pleased with the results of the recording that they intend to play live and dates are being booked for early 2014 and will be announced shortly.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Guy Manning has just posted a status report concerning the band he's been fronting for the past five years.

The 'band' line-up has been ongoing, with various members leaving and joining since 2008.

Whilst I have been the constant, this has provided highs and lows for both myself and the members alike.

After much soul searching, I have decided that it is time that this current line-up reach its natural 'end of life'.

I am sure that I will be working individually with the folks on future projects, but for now, we are to go our separate ways.

It has been a great deal of both hard work and much fun - the live shows were all good and the albums we have produced as an ensemble have been very well received indeed!

I wish each and every member of the Manning band lineups all the very best and more news about their own activities will no doubt surface very soon .

The band's latest release, The Root, the Leaf & the Bone, has been well received by critics and music loving public alike. For those of you who have seen Manning live in November 2013, you were the lucky ones.But that doesn't mean the end for the creative talent that is Guy Manning. The man behind the finely crafted and consistently original songs we've grown to know and love is still working on projects.

For myself, I am still writing new material. I have 2 "Projects" on the go at this time:

a) Akoustic #2 ...more songs re-interpreted in an acoustic setting from the long Manning back catalogue plus, some new acoustic based pieces that did not fit previously anywhere

b) A new large scale concept album. This is very likely to be a long term complex and involved project so I am not sure when (or if) this will see the light of day yet! or who will be involved in its production.

I feel no sense of urgency or ticking clock to get things out there in 2014...I am ambling along with some time to reflect, work a little and I am happy to just see where the current takes me ......short term! (I get bored easily)

In terms of more live appearances, some solo or small line-up (most probably Akoustik) shows are likely to be arranged in 2014. So please stay tuned!

For those interested to learn more about this artist, see the Podcast section of this blog-page to download a lengthy and interesting interview.

Transatlantic touring member Daniel Gildenlow will miss a number of shows on the band’s upcoming world tour.From a post on Facebook:

We are saddened to announce that, because of some personal issues that have unfortunately arisen, Daniel will not be able to join us for the first half of the tour. Ted Leonard (Spock's Beard) will be coming to our rescue as Transatlantic’s 5th touring member. He’ll be standing in until Daniel is able to join back up with us.

Ahead of their Cruise to the Edge shows, Yes are in a studio in Los Angeles, recording new material under the watchful eye of producer Roy Thomas Baker. This will be Jon Davison's first time recording new material with Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, and Geoff Downes. The previous album, Fly from Here, had Benoît David on vocals.The last time Roy Thomas Baker worked with the band was in 1980 during the aborted Paris Sessions which ended up with Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman leaving the band. The remaining members then returned to England and ended up recruiting Geoff Downes and Trevor Horne and produced Drama.Still, Thomas Baker met again with Jon Anderson, producing Jon's Christmas themed album Three Ships. He is also famous for having produced Queen in the early days up to and including Jazz.Yes have posted about six pictures of them in the studio on their Facebook page. They have also added another performance ahead of their Cruise. This new date is at Sands, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on the 5th of April. After the Cruise they will embark on the European leg of their "Triple Album Tour" where they play The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Going for the One in their entirety.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

InsideOutMusic is extremely proud to announce the signing of renowned guitarist John Wesley for the release of his forthcoming sixth studio album Disconnect on April 1. John had this to say:

"Disconnect, is the culmination of all the musical input I have had in the past several years. I am a fan of so many different types of music and being able to perform with artists that take huge chances musically such as Fish, Porcupine Tree, and Steven Wilson led me to a new place creatively. My focus has been on playing guitar for so long, so the songs on this record really came to life on the guitar. I had a great team of musicians to work with and the result is my best work to date. With this album, I was able to achieve a more aggressive guitar-oriented sound that is coloured by my progressive influences. Disconnect has many of the same elements of my previous work -- lyrical depth, song orientation -- but I really feel that I pushed my boundaries musically, with my playing and the song arrangements, more so than in my past work. Inside Out is the perfect home for this album."

John's last release was The Lilypad Suite EP which came out in 2011 and since then he has been playing with the likes of Steven Wilson and Sound of Contact, as well as keeping busy with session work. Disconnect marks his first full-length studio release since 2005's Shiver.

After the success of their last studio album, the excellent Beyond Man and Time, and the recent release of the live DVD documenting the tour supporting that album, German neo-prog band RPWL are ready to release a new studio album.Wanted will be released on April 1st 2014, and will reveal ten new songs. A tour supporting this new album will start three days later at the Boerderij in Zoetermerr, the Netherlands.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Australian neo-prog band Anubis has completed the recording and the mixing of their forthcoming album Hitchhiking to Byzantium. Now they need your help to make a dream come true.Though the album will come out on CD, many fans have been asking if it could be possible to have an album on vinyl. With this latest release that is what they are aiming for... but with your help.They need $6,500 to press the 2LP album with gatefold art to vinyl, just as progressive music should be heard. There are only 11 days left for the campaign, and they only have $1,046 earned to date.They have 5 levels of funding and with the lowest level you get a signed copy of each of the previous albums, which is a great deal, as those to albums are fantastic. If only for that you should go, but as prog fans you should also go for the vinyl.Listen to this video, then follow the link below.

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Crimson ProjeKCt, the King Crimson offshoot featuring 3 current members of that historic band, recently announced the release of 'Live in Tokyo' through InsideOutMusic on March 18, 2014. Now the band is pleased to reveal the first track to be taken from the album, a performance of the classic 'Frame By Frame' which can be heard exclusively here: Soundcloud/TheCrimasonProjeKCt

Featuring the talents of Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter, Julie Slick and Tobias Ralph; The Crimson ProjeKCt primarily focus on repertoire from the early 1980s through to the mid-90s. The band has a "double trio" line-up, as made popular by Crimson between 1994 - 1997. The full track-listing for the CD & Digital release can be found below:

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Silhouette is proud to release their first single CD ‘When Snow’s Falling Down’taken from the highly acclaimed 3th CD “Across The Rubicon”. This CD will contain four different versions of ‘Snow’, a single edit, the CD version, a brand-new acoustic version and a special dance edit made by famous Dutch DJ Mick Seijen. The single is available through management@silhouetteband.nl.

In the meantime Silhouette are working in the studio recording the fourth CD, which they say will be a concept album. Release is expected for September 2014 with new members Daniel van der Weijde on guitar and Rob van Nieuwenhuijzen on drums, since former drummer Jos Uffing quit after being with the band for ten years.

Also, Silhouette will be doing a couple of live shows in April 2014 with UK legends Credo and will record a special live DVD in Purmerend, Netherlands!

Double Headline Tour Silhouette/Credo:

04 April 2014 – De Pul, Uden, The Netherlands (with Tightland from Germany as support)

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Big Big Train are preparing live gigs!! This is the news a lot of Big Big Train's fans have been waiting for. The band haven't properly played live since its early incarnation, and since 2009 have mainly been considered a studio band, releasing well polished and complex music with no regard if it is playable live or not.Well 2014 will be the year Big Big Train finally hit the stage and play live. To that end they have recruited some extra musicians to add to their signature sound. Headline news in prog magazines have mostly centered around the fact that Beardfish's Rikard Sjöblom will be joining the band on guitar, keyboard, and vocals. In truth I love Rikard and Beardfish. I saw them live and they are a fantastic band. I also interviewed Rikard years ago when this radio show was in its infancy and met him 2 years ago at a prog festival, and he is a gracious and interesting artist. But the news should not be about him but about Big Big Train, and I am sure that Rikard would agree with this assessment.Tour dates have not been announced yet, but rehearsals are set to begin in August at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in Bath, where they will be recorded for a future DVD or BluRay release. so this gives us an Autumn 2014 timeline for the dates, which incidentally is about the time of Summer's End... Will they play that famous English festival at the end of 2014?Stay tuned!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Just updated the Upcoming Festivals page of this blog. Added dates, links, lineups, and times where available. If you have any news concerning upcoming festival, e-mail me.Browse the Festival page here. Or click on the link above.

About the IPRS

Prog World is broadcast every Saturday at 8 PM GMT on http://www.rivergibbsfm.com/, and repeated on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.
Artist or promoter submitions are welcome. E-mail to find out where to send CDs and promotional material.